Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist, composer and singer.
With ba… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist, composer and singer.
With bassist Richard Cousins, keyboardist Peter Boe and drummer Tom Murphy, they launched The Robert Cray Band in 1980 with "Who's Been Talkin". The album was recorded during constant touring in the U.S. in 1978. The record was initially shelved for two years, being eventually issued by the short-lived Tomato label (whose licence was picked up by "Atlantic Records" (U.S.) and "Charly" in the UK.
After several years of regional success, Cray was signed to Mercury in 1982. It was the connection with the producing and songwriting team of Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker at Hightone that helped to create the mold-breaking music of "Bad Influence" (1983) and "False Accusations" (1985).
In 1984, The Robert Cray Band completed their first European tour to critical acclaim. Cray's participation with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland on "Showdown!" (1985, Alligator) and the 1986 album release, "Strong Persuader", again produced by Walker, both received Grammy Awards, while the crossover single "Smoking Gun" gave him wider appeal and name recognition. During 1986 Cray played 170 concerts, including his seventh European tour since 1984, building on his increasing reputation in the UK.
The Robert Cray Band's next album "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" (1988) was recorded in Los Angeles, California, and featured David Sanborn on guest saxophone. The title song from the album won Cray his third Grammy, and he guested on Eric Clapton's "Journeyman", whilst also being on the bill at Clapton's eighteen show marathon at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 1991 Cray was selected to present Howlin' Wolf's induction trophy to Wolf's widow, Lilly Burnett, at the sixth annual "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" Awards. Later that year Cray took part in the "Newport Jazz Festival" with B. B. King and John Lee Hooker.
Cray issued his following records under his own name, Robert Cray

I Can't Fail
The Robert Cray Band Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You just never know
How life will unfold
Are the dreams we have just fairy tales?
Hope I'm wrong
I can't fail

I see you work hard
And you rarely crack a smile

Never weep but you're not well
You're the reason I can't fail

I'm always by your side
We"ve got a long story to tell
Just don't you be afraid
Somehow we'll find us a brand new way

Time's treated us kind
We're lucky that, we don't feel the cold
The road is sometimes filled with nails
Just hold on, love is strong
You're the reason
I can't fail

Hold on
Love is strong

You're the reason
I can't fail

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Robert Cray Band’s “I Can’t Fail” depict the uncertainties of life and the determination that comes with holding on to hope. The opening lines suggest that life doesn’t always pan out how one hopes or expects it to, and dreams may simply be illusions. However, the singer insists that they hope they are wrong, and they cannot afford to fail. Their motivation comes from the person they’re addressing in the song, someone who works hard, rarely smiles, and is not in the best of health. This person is the reason why the singer can’t fail – they are likely dependent on each other in some way, and the thought of losing the other is what drives them to keep going.

Line by Line Meaning

You just never know
It's impossible to predict how life will unfold

How life will unfold
What will happen in the future is unpredictable

Are the dreams we have just fairy tales?
Are our aspirations unrealistic fantasies?

Hope I'm wrong
I hope my doubts are unfounded

I can't fail
I'm determined not to fail

I see you work hard
I notice that you put in a lot of effort

And you rarely crack a smile
You seldom show any positive emotion

Never weep but you're not well
You don't cry but you're not feeling okay

You're the reason I can't fail
Your presence and support motivate me to succeed

I'm always by your side
I'm always there for you

We've got a long story to tell
We have a lengthy history together